Mahalaxmi Temple, Bandora, Goa

Mahalaxmi Temple, Bandora, Goa

Mahalaxmi Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Goddess Lakshmi, consort of Lord Vishnu, located in the Bandora Village near Ponda Town in Ponda Taluk in the North Goa district of Goa, India. It is one of the most visited places in Goa and an important pilgrimage site for Hindus.

History

The Goddess Mahalakshmi was worshipped by the Shilahara rulers (750-1030 A. D) and the early Kadamba Kings of Goa. The temple was originally in the village of Kolambe near present day Colva beach. When the Portuguese destroyed it, devotees smuggled the idol of Mahalakshmi first to the town of Talaulim where it resided in the home of a priest. It was then moved to its present location in Bandivade in Ponda where a small temple was established in 1866.

The Temple

The Temple is considered the abode of the original Goddess of the Shakti cult. It has a modern structure. The facade is a beautifully decorated arch and entrance with sculptures of two elephants around the outer spire. There is a black stone Deepa Sthamba next to another Deepa Sthamba bearing the temple colour facing the facade. There is a Tulsi Vrindavan in the outer corridor.

The Sabha Mandapa has beautiful antique chandeliers attached to the ceiling. Its walls are adorned with paintings engravings of Lord Hanuman, Lord Garuda and Lord Ganesha. The inner walls are covered with paintings, engravings depicting stories of the puranas. It has twenty-four panels painted with images from Bhagwat Geeta along with the incarnations of Lords Vishnu. It is considered one of the few galleries of wooden images of Vishnu in India.

The idol of Mahalaxmi with four arms holding a sickle, a club, a dagger and a vessel containing Prasad and flowers. The image of Mahalakshmi has a close resemblance to that of Mahalakshmi at Kolhapur, the main centre of worship. Her special feature is that she wears a Linga on her head and is considered a peaceful or Satvik form of the Devi. There was another idol of Devi made of Panchaloka besides the stone idol.

Festivals

Navaratri is celebrated grandly here. Other festivals celebrated are Shri Ram Navami, Shri Mahalakshmi Pratishthapana Day in Vaisakha and Maha Shivaratri Festival in the month of Magha. The main idol of the Goddess Mahalaxmi is also taken out during the festival of Mahashivaratri, on a chariot carried on the shoulders of devotees.

Contact

Mahalaxmi Temple,

Bandora, Ponda,

Goa – 403 401

Phone: +91 832 233 5355 / 233 5434 

Connectivity

The Temple is located at about 1.5 Kms from Ramnathi Bus Stop, 4 Kms from Ponda, 4 Kms from Ponda Bus Stand, 20 Kms from Karmali Railway Station, 22 Kms from Madgaon Junction Railway Station, 24 Kms from Verna Railway Station, 24 Kms from Goa Airport and 30 Kms from Panjim. The temple is situated in the village of Bandora or Bandivade close to Ponda Town.

Location | Photos